Transgender Chileans Can Now Change Gender without Surgery

Transgender people of Chile can now change their government-issued gender to whichever they identify as, thanks to a new bill. The bill, which passed with a vote of 95-46, will also allow transgender people to legally change their names as well. It grants anyone over the age of 14 to self-identify gender (with those between the ages of 14 and 18 needing parental consent).

The president, Sebastian Pinera, is expected to sign the bill into law.

Organizing Trans Diversidades wrote: “Today, Chile takes a historic step forward in the inclusion of transgender identities. Let’s now eradicate transphobia in schools, on the streets and in workplaces. Today it is everyone’s responsibility to protect trans youth.”